Marco Antonio Barrera Returns To British Shores On 9th March
Promoter, and former World Champion, Carl Greaves recently announced  that
three weight World Champion Marco Antonio Barrera is to make a return
visit to the UK next month. Now before you go getting too excited, or
maybe you should, because it’s not for yet another super fight, oh no this
time it’s for a much more up close and personal event with British boxing
fans.
Yep you’ve got it Carl is putting together another of his highly
successful  ‘Evening With’ events and this time it’s the legendary Mexican
star that will be the centre of attraction at the Newark Showground,
Newark, Nottinghamshire, on Friday, 9th March 2012.
Barrera, a former two-time WBO super bantamweight, WBC, Lineal, The Ring &
IBO Featherweight and WBC & IBF super featherweight champion, earned his
legendary status following a trilogy of battles with another Mexican
legend Erik Morales as well as his being the first to defeat Prince Naseem
Hamed.
Barrera began his career as a Super Flyweight and won his first
professional title at this weight, defeating Justino Suárez by a decision
to win the Mexican national super flyweight title in 1992. A title he
successfully defended five times as well as adding the division’s NABF
crown to his collection.
In 1994, even though he beat Carlos Salazar, Barrera failed to secure a
WBC Super Flyweight World Title eliminator as he had come in over the
weight limit.  Barrera then stepped up to the Super Bantamweight division
and  challenged for and won the WBA Penta-Continental Super Bantamweight
title, which he successfully defended on a single occasion.
Barrera began 1995 with his first World title shot. On the 31st March of
that year, he became the WBO super bantamweight champion after defeating
Puerto Rican boxer Daniel Cobrita Jiménez.
Barrera defended the WBO crown seven times before on the 22nd November
1996, he suffered his first career loss, as well as losing the WBO title,
after a crazy faux pas by his coach.
Barrera was knocked down in round five by American Junior Jones, Barrera
got to his feet but just after the fight resumed Barrera’s corner man
climbed onto the ring apron, leaving the referee no option but to stop the
fight and disqualify Barrera.
On the 18th April 1997, Barrera was presented the chance to regain his
title, by facing Jones in a rematch in Las Vegas. Unfortunately after
twelve hard fought close rounds Barrera was once again thwarted, this time
by a unanimous decision, after which he announced his retirement from
boxing.
One year later Barrera announced his comeback, shortly after he defeated
Angel Rosario with a fifth round knockout. After two more wins, he was
given another opportunity to fight for the WBO World title.
Barrera became a two-time World Super Bantamweight Champion, on the 31st
October, when he defeated Richie Wenton by a third round knockout to
secure the vacant WBO title.
In February 2000, Barrera was defeated by the WBC super bantamweight title
holder Erik Morales by a controversial split decision. It was an intense
battle in which both fighters were cut and battered. At the 2000 year end
awards this thrilling bout was declared the new Millenniums first ‘Fight
of the Year’ by Ring Magazine.
Shortly after the bout, the WBO reinstated Barrera as their champion,
which he defended three times in 2000
In 2001, Barrera moved up a weight division. On the 7th April, he handed
legendary British boxer Prince Naseem Hamed his first and only loss to
secure the lineal Featherweight title by a twelve-round decision.
Before the fight, Hamed was the clear bookies favorite, however Hamed
could not hit Barrera with his trademark left, as Barrera circled to his
left and worked both head and body.
Barrera was not a fan of Hamed’s antics and responded to Hamed’s punches
during clinches. On one occasion early in the fight, Hamed grabbed Barrera
and they both fell to the ground, whilst down on the canvas Barrera threw
a right jab which lead to a warning from referee Joe Cortez. In the
twelfth and final round Barrera trapped Hamed in a full nelson, and forced
his head into the turnbuckle, resulting in a point deduction from Cortez.
Throughout the bout Barrera threw far more and harder punches as well as
more impressive combinations than Hamed to rightfully be awarded the
victory via a unanimous decision.
On the 8th September  2001, Barrera added the IBO Featherweight title to
his collection after stopping former champion Enrique Sánchez in the sixth
round.
Nine months later, on the 22 June 2002, Barrera successfully defended his
lineal title by out pointing Erik Morales in a rematch, in doing so added
Morales’ WBC title and the vacant Ring Magazine title to his ever
expanding trophy case, albeit for only a short while in the case of the
WBC belt as shortly after he relinquished the title.
On the 7th November, Barrera defeated former five-time world champion
Johnny Tapia by a 12-round unanimous decision.
Barrera’s 60th career fight, on the 12th April 2003,  see him finish off
former WBC title holder Kevin Kelley in style, with a spectacular fourth
round knockout.
On the 16th November 2003, Barrera faced Manny Pacquiao. After eleven
bruising hard fought  rounds Barerra’s corner threw in the towel. In doing
so  handed Pacquiao his third world championship, all in different weight
divisions, and as Barrera was the recognized Lineal champion his coveted
Ring Magazine title also went to the Pac Man.
On November 27, 2004, Barrera joined Pacquiao as a three weight division
World Champion, after defeating Morales to secure the WBC super
featherweight title, a title which he successfully defended four times as
well as adding the IBF version to his impressive collection.
Barrera lost his WBC Super Featherweight title, On the 17th March 2007,
to fellow Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Márquez by a unanimous points
decision.
Barrera was furious and demanded a rematch, claiming that the judges and
referee were wrong, because he knocked down Márquez in the seventh round
and the referee ruled it a slip.
Just under seven months later, on the 6th October, Barrera fought Pacquiao
for a second time, for the WBC International Super Featherweight title.
Again Barrera’s efforts was thwarted by the Filipino. After the bout a
distraught Barrera expressed his desire to retire from boxing a second
time.
On the 26th August 2008 Barrera, at 35, ended his brief retirement, and
signed a five year contract with promoter Don King and  moved to the
Lightweight division, his goal to become the first Mexican ever, to win a
World Championship at four different weights.
The 7th December 2008, marked Barrera’s return to the ring, in Chengdu,
China, where he secured his first win, as a Lightweight, by knocking out
Sammy Ventura.
It was announced on the 15th January 2009 that Barrera’s next fight would
see him travel to the UK to  face the highly rated Amir Khan, at the MEN
Arena on the 14th March. Even with Barrera being in the twilight years of
his career this was still viewed as the toughest test of young Khan’s
career to date.
Barrera lost the bout by a dubious fifth-round technical decision – the
two fighters clashed heads in the first round, resulting in a deep gash
above Barrera’s forehead. Throughout the bout blood flowed from the cut
and even though the referee could have called a halt to the proceedings
anytime he left it until the beginning of the fifth to summon the ringside
doctor. Immediately the doctor stopped the fight due to the severity of
the cut, The judges scored the fight 50-45, 50-45, and 50-44 for Khan at
the point of stoppage and he was declared the winner by technical
decision.
It would not be until the 26th June  2010 that Barrera would fight again,
where he faced Brazil’s Adailton de Jesus in a non-Championship ten
rounder at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas. Barrera dominated De Jesus
for every single round to secure victory.
In his last bout, on 12th February 2011, Barrera beat Jose Arias, of the
Dominican Republic by a second round TKO.
Whilst it’s not clear whether that fight brings to a close Barrera’s
magnificent career, one thing is clear that Marco Antonio Barrera has
earned the right to be known as one of the greatest boxers of his
generation, something that makes this opportunity presented by Carl
Greaves, a can’t miss one, especially as those attending will not only get
the to meet and chat with Barrera but will also have the opportunity to be
photographed with him.
Not just that though, those attending will also get to sit down at the
dinner table with the great man himself, and other star guests, for a two
course meal as well as further evening entertainment, in the form of a
comedian.
Carl Greaves is really doing the fans proud yet again, especially as the
cost of attending ‘An Evening With Marco Antonio Barrera’ is just £75 per
person – Tickets available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com
- END -

BRITISH super-bantamweight champion Scott Quigg is gearing himself up for a clash with emerging Irish star Carl Frampton.

Quigg, 23, retained his title by stopping Welsh veteran Jamie Arthur in Bolton on Saturday night (February 4) and remains on course for a mouth-watering clash against the Barry McGuigan managed Commonwealth king.

Bury’s Quigg came through a tricky first defence forcing ref Mark Green to stop the contest when the challenger turned away after being hurt by a left hook in round eight.

After his 24th straight win, Quigg who is ranked third in the world by the IBF and WBA was anxious to look forward, and Frampton tops the hit list.

It’s the fight everyone wants to see so we need to sit down and discuss it,” Quigg said.

“He’s got another fight coming up in March and if he wins and I keep winning, then we’re going to meet.

“The fights building up so what’s the point of it being for the just the British and Commonwealth titles? It could be for a bigger title like the European as well for money.

“When it happens it should be in a big arena so we can build it up by him going his way and me going mine, but if the fight happens next then that’s fine by me because I know I’ll win.”

He added: “I’ll fight him wherever. I’ll go to Ireland as easily as he’ll fight me over here. I respect him and I’m sure he respects me and when we get it on it’s just about proving who’s the best.”

Quigg suffered a shock fourth round knockdown against Arthur, but quickly took control against the former Commonwealth champion, although some ringsiders believed the stoppage was slightly premature.

“Everything went to plan except for me getting caught with a daft shot,” Quigg added.

“I wasn’t hurt, though, I just got caught square on and went over but it was more embarrassing then anything. When I got up my head was clear. He threw the kitchen sink at me after that and I don’t think one shot landed.”

Quigg also feels that despite the end of the action coming with Arthur still on his feet, a knockout was inevitable if the fight would have been allowed to continue.

He said: “It’s up to the ref to decide when to stop it and he couldn’t give him a count because he was still on his feet, but he turned his back and you could tell he was in pain.

“I was getting to him and catching him with some big shots and it was only a matter of time before I finished it.

“If he thinks he didn’t get a fair chance and he wants a rematch then I’ll gladly give it to him.”

In the chief support, 2008 Olympian “Genius” Joe Murray notch up his twelfth pro win with a clear cut eight round points (80 – 72) win over Jose Luis Graterol.

Other results: Stephen Foster Jnr bt Yauheni Kruhlik Pts, Matty Askin bt Attila Palko TKO 2, Rendall Munroe bt Jose Saez TKO 1, James Dickens bt Barrington Brown pts, Craig Lyon bt Yuri Voronin pts, Tasif Khan bt Delroy Spencer pts.

Written By: Elliot Millward

IT was announced on Wednesday, February 1 that welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. will step up in weight to fight Miguel Cotto on May 5.

The fight will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas after ‘Money’ Mayweather was granted a one-fight license by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The commission voted 5-0 in favour of granting the license after a meeting held about the American’s pending jail sentence. He has to report for an 87-day jail sentence at Clark County Detention Centre in Las Vegas on June 1, following charges related to a domestic violence incident in September 2010.

Mayweather tweeted after the announcement: “I’m fighting Miguel Cotto on May 5th because Miss Pac Man is ducking me.”

Mayweather has a perfect 42 fight unbeaten record and is moving up to fight at 154-pounds for the second time, his previous bout at the weight being a split decision points win over Oscar De La Hoya in 2007. Cotto (37-2) stepped up to the light middleweight division after losing to Manny Pacquiao in 2009 and has won his last three fights, claiming the WBA world title belt in the progress.

The three weight world champion tweeted: “I’m back in the ring on May 5th and I will beat him.”

Whilst the 31-year-old Puerto Rican is a very credible opponent for ‘Money’, being the third biggest pay-per-view draw in boxing after Mayweather and Pacquiao, the question on everyone’s lips is why the fight with Filipino Pacquiao was not made for May 5.

The men are considered to be the two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, yet still the super fight everyone wants to see eludes us. The fight would be the richest fight in boxing history and both Mayweather and Pacquiao would earn career high paydays, so money should not be the problem.

In the upcoming Mayweather-Cotto fight both men have agreed to stringent Olympic style drugs testing. This was thought to be an issue with Pacquiao but both he and his trainer Freddie Roach have since come out and denied this, so drugs testing should not be the problem.

Boxing is a notoriously political sport, with fighters being managed and promoted by different people and different companies, making it sometimes hard to make fights. With Pacquiao being promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank and Mayweather by Golden Boy Promotions it has been very difficult for both parties to agree on all the stipulations of the fight, including blood testing, purse size and revenue split.

With Pacquiao due to fight on June 9, most probably against American light-welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley, and Mayweather having to report for his jail sentence on June 1, the earliest the fight could be made for is late 2012.

What is now clear is that if the fight doesn’t happen soon, it will never happen. The more time passes without the two sides agreeing a deal, the less likely it becomes that the fight will ever be made. Mayweather-Pacquiao could become the super-fight that never was.

Written By: Jasveer Singh Gill

As the big dogs of boxing circle and sniff at each other, one champion is sitting back, biding his time, waiting for an opportunity. And now, his moment may have arrived.

Timothy Bradley, once ridiculed for avoiding a fight with Amir Khan, may now be the most viable opponent for Manny Pacquaio, Juan Manuel Marquez and perhaps even Floyd Mayweather.

The Ring magazine’s current light-welterweight champion, the Californian remains the undefeated WBO champion at the weight. A recent signee of Bob Arum’s Top Rank promotions – the promotion company of the likes of Pacquaio and Miguel Cotto – his victories make him standout as possibly the most deserving contender to land a super fight against one of the premier fighters around his division.

It is all so different from just over a year ago, when Bradley was labelled a ducker, having openly turned down two separate big money offers from Amir Khan’s team. Although not too open about it, Bradley was waiting out his contract with Gary Shaw Promotions to sign with Top Rank. An example of the difference his new promotional company has made to his career is evident in the offer he turned down from Amir Khan. The negotiations through Shaw and team Khan left Bradley with an alleged guaranteed $1.4 million payday, which many claimed he was a fool to turn down. Upon signing with Top Rank Bradley fought the much less threatening former champion Joel Casamayor on the undercard of the Pacquaio-Marquez III fight. This fight saw him getting paid an alleged $1.2million.

Bob Arum is a promoter notorious for creating in-house bouts for his biggest stars, something that is easy to see by looking at the roundabout fights the likes of Joshua Clottey, Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquaio have all had against each other. Therefore Bradley would have definitely had one eye on fighting the likes of Pacquaio or Juan Manuel Marquez (another Top Rank fighter).

Right now, Arum is considering putting Bradley in against either of those legendary names and that in itself would be justification of his choice to avoid fighting Khan. Any payday ever offered by team Khan will pale in comparison to whatever Arum will pay Bradley for his next fight, which at worst could be a rematch with Peterson.

The “Desert Storm” is still deserving of a real super fight against any of these elite names though, despite the fact that Bradley turned the Khan fight down (something which is an actual fact that even he can not deny). Ironically though, after all the heckling Bradley got for turning the fight down, it was Khan’s struggle against former Bradley victim Lamont Peterson that showed the world the quality of Bradley. That loss by Khan saw Bradley jump up the pecking order of fighters deserving of the chance to take on the likes of Pacquaio or Mayweather.

Bradley became champion by going to England to face the highly avoided and awkward Junior Witter. He came away winning a decision and never looked back, running through undefeated and highly reputable contenders such as Devon Alexander, Luis Abregu, Kendall Holt, Edner Cherry and of course Peterson, winning clear decisions in all those fights.

The likes of Peterson and Alexander have gone on to win big fights since, proving just how good his wins against them really were. An aggressive fighter, known for his bustling approach and frequent use of his head (see his fights against Alexander and Nate Campbell), even Freddie Roach has stated Bradley is a definite contender to face pound-for-pound king Pacquaio.

If he does not end up fighting Pacquaio, Arum is sure to use him against Marquez, giving him the opportunity to rise up the fabled pound-for-pound rankings, with Bradley currently being rated around 5-10 in the world by most boxing pundits. Mayweather is also running out of viable contenders, with only Pacquaio, Cotto and Bradley now left as opponents he could fight without being seen as cherry picking.

Before Valentines day both Pacquaio and Mayweather are expected to have named opponents for their next fight. If they do not fight each other, they could do no better than taking on the best undefeated fighter around the welterweight division.

Of course, the fight with Khan will always loom over his head, especially once Khan gets back to winning ways. However, Bradley has gone on record as saying that he is not scared of Khan and knows they will eventually come to fight one day. Now that Peterson has shown a blueprint for a style that Khan seemingly could not effectively deal with, Bradley may not hesitate to sign up, and this time will probably get considerably more than $1.4 million for it too.

Nowadays too many boxers try to get through their careers in a rush but Bradley has taken a more patient approach to his career. In a sport that is all about timing, his decision making may prove to be his best skill of all.

DARREN BARKER’S team have turned down a big offer for him to meet British and Commonwealth middleweight champion Martin Murray.

Hatton Promotions, who want to stage the double title showdown in the spring were shocked when Barker’s promoter Eddie Hearn turned down the high purse.

It shows Ricky Hatton’s commitment to making fights that work for British boxing and willingness to work with rival promoters.

Hatton Promotions CEO, Ricky said: “I am not privy to what Darren earned when he fought Sergio Martinez last year, but I think our offer may have topped it or at worse been very close.

“Put it this way, it was a huge amount for somebody challenging for British and Commonwealth championship crowns.

“Eddie Hearn initially made an offer for Matchroom Boxing to stage the fight, which we bettered by a considerable amount.

“Eddie responded and  only matched what we put on the table which was strange and added it was his final offer, but we again countered and bettered it by a fair amount.

“Eddie got back to my Director of Boxing, Richard Poxon on Tuesday night refusing  and said he ‘thinks’ that he has got Darren a world title fight in May.

“If Darren has got a world title fight for the sort of money Hatton Promotions are offering fair play to him, but this is a concrete offer and not a contest his promoter can ‘think’ will happen.

“I am sure Darren isn’t running scared and would be tempted by our offer, but I cannot say the same about others in his team, although I hope Eddie proves me wrong on that.

“I will work with any promoter for the good of my fighters and I am sure Sky Sports would love their viewers to watch a fight between Martin and Darren.”

Hatton is still hoping that Barker and his team come back to the table, but is now beginning to explore other avenues.

Murray would also accept against WBA Super world middleweight champion Felix Sturm who controversially outpointed him last month.

Hatton added: “One thing for sure, is that Martin will be involved in big fights in 2012 whether Barker wants to know or not.”

First fight

Groves performance

Groves was a bit irritating before the first bell; mimicking the mannerisms of his stable mate David Haye. He did look a bit over confident and immature for a fight that was always going to be a tough one.

It was clear that Groves was the more talented out of the two but you quickly got the feeling that this fight had come too soon for him. His defence was too cavalier, taking a few straight right hands to the body (never a good sign), he stayed in the pocket too long, possibly out of contempt more likely through immaturity; as a result Anderson managed to land several heavy right hands.

On a positive note when Groves did attack there was real venom in his punches and as Anderson started to tire Groves started picking him off with heavy shots leading to the stoppage.

Anderson performance

Tactics where spot on and executed perfectly. I think basic cornering and ring craft lead to Anderson ’s early success.  Every time Groves tried to get on his bike Anderson would cut the ring off and force Groves to reengage sooner than he wanted to. Groves always needed a bit more time than Anderson was giving him. Anderson would punch in straight flurries catching Groves to the body and head.

If Anderson kept this up I think he would have gone on to win the fight probably by late stoppage.

Due to sore ribs from sparring with Carl Froch, illness and lack of prep time Anderson was never going to be competitive after the 5th round.

The second fight

Groves will be favourite for this fight but its not as clear cut as the bookies think. Both fighters have good reason to be confident.

Case for Groves

Since their first fight Groves has improved in ability and grown in maturity. He now has a far more refined jab, tighter defence and better movement. I don’t believe he will be as easy to tag with the straight right that he was taking in the first fight.

After the almost disastrous first fight, he will defiantly be taking Anderson more seriously this time. His performance in the first fight raised a lot of questions about Groves talent and potential which still linger even after his victory over Degale. Team Groves will want to set the record straight with a convincing win.

Case for Anderson

Boxers often come out with excuses for losing, but in this case I think Anderson excuses were genuine. In the 5th round he looked a shadow of the fighter he was in the 1st round.

Anderson has the ability to make Groves fight when Groves wants to run. If Anderson fights at a fast pace and keeps his work rate high, he could bring Groves right out of his comfort zone. Anderson knows he can close Groves down and hurt him, he will be going into this fight very confident of an upset.

Prediction

There are several boxing pundits picking Anderson for this one, citing the Norton-Ali syndrome (this isn’t a documented syndrome I just made it up).  I have no doubt that Anderson will come at Groves with even more than he did in first fight.  More pressure, higher workrate and more sustained attacks. I do see Groves coping with it much better.

I do expect Groves to go through  some rough patches and lose a few rounds here and there, but I am picking Groves to win this on points or late stoppage.

By Sean Anderson

Manny Pacquiao has quite literally been considered a phenomenon since breezing through the boxing weights, beginning his career at flyweight in February 1996. Between 1996 and 2008 Pacquiao won world titles at Flyweight, Super-Bantamweight, Super Featherweight and Lightweight. This period saw him beat Mexican Legends Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales in clinical fashion. He also drew with, and gained a contentious victory against another Mexican master in Juan Manual Marquez.

Pacquiao gained massive plaudits for this success. However it was not until his victory over an aged Oscar de la Hoya (another Mexican!) in December 2008 that he gained worldwide recognition. By this time De La Hoya was 35, and being ask to fight at a weight 8lbs lower than his previous bout. As a result he was considered ‘dead’ at the weight and the future “Hall of Famer” quit on his stall after eight rounds.

Pacquiao then sought a World Title at a fifth different weight when taking on Britain’s beloved Ricky Hatton five months later. 18 months previously Hatton had been dismantled by Floyd Mayweather before showing worrying signs of diminishing punch resistance against the lightly regarded Juan Lazcano. From this it was obvious Hatton was on the wane and he was knocked out in three devastating rounds by Pacquaio.

Only 6 months later Pacquiao moved on to Miguel Cotto, the well regarded Puerto Rican who the year previously had been stopped in brutal fashion by Antonio Margarito. Pacquaio won this WBO welterweight title fight with another stoppage to win a world title at a sixth weight. Ironically Pacquiao then defended this title against the durable Ghanian Joshua Clottey, who in his previous fight had lost to Cotto. Pacquaio won a lopsided points decision.

This was followed by a bid at a world title at a seventh different weight against the slayer of Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito. Margarito had recently returned from a ban for using illegal substances in his gloves, and was knocked out by American ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosely in his last world title fight. Pacquiao out pointed Margarito convincingly, leaving the Mexican battered and bruised.

This up to now is the end of Pacquiao’s journey through the boxing weights. He did however step down to regain the WBO welterweight title against Mosely via points decision. It may not surprise you to hear that Mosely lost to Mayweather a year prior.

In Pacquiao’s most recent fight to date he fought his old foe Marquez for the third time in May 2011. Marquez had lost to Mayweather in conclusive fashion in 2009, and it was thought that he was on the slide and that Pacquiao would make short work of him. This was not the case and for the second time a contentious points decision went in Pacquaio’s favour.

In review, Pacquiao has had seven fights since December 2008, and each and every one of these opponents has taken some kind of beating in their previous four fights, four of them by Floyd Mayweather! Some fighters had merely had tune up bouts between losing and taking on Pacquiao. It cannot be denied that Pacquiao has some incredible names on his CV but whether any of his opponents since 2008 were in any kind of prime is questionable.

By Jasveer Singh Gill

The year of 2011 is a year that will stand out in boxing history. Big fights happened but failed to deliver, there were big upsets and as usual, lots of controversy.

Whilst fans were delighted to see big match ups finally getting made, most of them were anticlimactic. The potential for new stars to emerge was there but in most cases it never came through, with many upsets resulting in big setbacks.

Fans were delighted to see Floyd Mayweather fight again, although probably not too happy with the choice of opponent, in Victor Ortiz. No one was happy with the way the fight ended though, when Mayweather knocked out Ortiz while the Mexican was barely paying attention.

Fans were also delighted by the continuation of Bernard Hopkins defying his age, beating fighters close to 20 years younger than him. However, when he fought Chad Dawson – someone recognised as a fighter with the ability to be a modern great – the fight ended in a no contest after Dawson threw Hopkins to the floor, with Hopkins injuring his shoulder and thus being unable to continue.

Manny Pacquaio finally agreed to settle the score with Juan Manuel Marquez but rather than a definitive conclusion, we may now be looking at a fourth fight. Pacquaio won a decision in a fight that most people thought he lost.

In maybe the most anticipated fight for a long time, David Haye finally fought Wladimir Klitschko and promptly stunk up the arena in an awful display, fighting just as timidly as most Klitschko opponents do, losing a 12 round decision.

All the afore mentioned fights ended with fans booing.

Along with this, rising stars such as James Kirkland, Giovanni Segura, David , Lemeuix, James De Gale and others lost in big upsets. Only Andre Ward, after winning the Showtime Super Six tournament, made a genuine step up to stardom this year.

However, 2012 will definitely be a year when a new star emerges to ensure fights do not end in a chorus of boos. And here are five that are most likely to do so.

Tyson Fury – Heavyweight (17-0, 12 KOs)

With his name, his looks, his style of fighting, his size, his background, his family and basically everything about him, Tyson Fury is destined to be a huge star.

As a heavyweight boxer, he is 6ft 9in but with great hand-speed and power; more or less the perfect package for a fighter in his division. Fury comes from a boxing and Gypsy background, with his father, Johnny Fury (currently in jail for 25 years for gouging someone’s eye out) a noted bare knuckle and former professional boxer.

As a fighter he is as exciting as heavyweights come, combining a high work-rate with the ability to recover from a punch (as noted in superb bouts against Derek Chisora and Neven Pakjic). A man he beat comprehensively is fighting for a world title next (Chisora) but at 23 he is not in a rush. By the end of 2012 he will have been in some exciting bouts (with a bout against his big rival David Price on the agenda) and probably be among the best heavyweights in the world.

Yuriokis Gamboa – Featherweight (21-0, 16 KOs)

Perhaps the most explosive and lethal fighter in the world today, Gamboa is on a mission to become the known as the best boxer on earth as quick as he can.

An Olympic Gold medallist from Cuba, Gamboa decided after winning the medal in 2004 he needed to escape his countries communist regime to pursue his dream to become the world’s best. Selling his Gold medal to fund his move to America, he eventually ended up in Germany and now America. With blinding hand-speed and a fearlessness that has seen him his the canvas because of his willingness to consistently trade toe-to-toe, Gamboa has enthralled fans. After rampaging his way through the featherweight division Gamboa is now looking to jump two divisions up to fight lightweight champion Brandon Rios, and such is his talent Gamboa would probably be favourite to beat him. There are some real tests for Gamboa (Adrien Broner, Gary Russell Jr) around his weight division but if he can come through them in 2012 Gamboa may be the pound-for-pound best by the end of the year.

Nonito Donaire – Super-bantamweight (28-0, 18 KOs)

The Filipino went to the same school as Manny Pacquaio and is currently rampaging through divisions in a similar style as his compatriot. After losing his first second pro fight Donaire has gone on to prove he is the ultimate under-dog, and is currently noted as one of the top ten pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Left handed like Pacquaio, his left-hook is a real killer, nearly decapitating Fernando Montiel in KO of the year in 2011. So good is he, opponents now come looking to survive rather than to win. A fight against the aforementioned Gamboa could be in the pipeline but for now do not expect anyone to even challenge him and goes on to create a legacy for himself as one of the best bantamweights in history.

Anthony Dirrell – Super-middleweight (24-0, 21 KOs)

The brother of former Super Six contestant Andre, Anthony may not be as refined a boxer as his brother but is clearly a more aggressive and powerful fighter. The reason he is not rated as highly right now is because run ins with the law and a battle against a form of lung-cancer has delayed his career, but now he is back and as hungry as ever. Now working his way as number one contender to fight Andre Ward for the WBC title, Dirrell arguably has a style more suited than anyone to defeating the seemingly undefeatable Ward. A great boxer with a superb amateur pedigree, he has become the forgotten man in American boxing but in 2012 will make sure he forces his way back into the minds of boxing fans.

Ismayl Sillakh – Light-heavyweight (17-0, 14 KOs)

“The Black Russian” is seen in many boxing circles as one of the best talents to emerge from Europe since Joe Calzaghe. Originally from Sierra Leone, Sillakh was born and raised in the Ukraine and was taken in by boxing coaches that recognised his huge amount of potential. Both highly skilled, very powerful and with a vicious killer instinct, Sillakh may be the most avoided fighter in the world in 2012. The likes of Nathan Cleverley, Bernard Hopkins and Tavouris Cloud will not want to risk their statuses against such a dangerous opponent that has such a small following. He has recently though, started calling out these champions, telling anyone who listens he could knock them all out. All anyone needs to do is watch him fight and they would probably agree with him. A real star, by the end of 2012 Sillakh will either be a world champion or be a victim of boxing politics.

HATTON PROMOTIONS RETURN TO SHEFFIELD

HATTON PROMOTIONS will be returning to Sheffield when they stage a night of Championship boxing at Ponds Forge Arena on Saturday 24th March.

Heading the Sky Sports televised bill is Gary Buckland who will be making the first defence of his British super-featherweight title.

The 25-year-old Welshman thrilled fans in the Steel City when he took the title from Gary Sykes earlier this year in one of the best fights in 2011.

His challenger, the undercard that will be stacked with Hatton Promotions prospects and ticket details will be announced early in the New Year.

Hatton Promotions head Ricky Hatton said: “Sheffield is becoming a regular city for us to visit, and we‘re delighted to be returning to Ponds Forge.

“Sheffield seems to be producing lots of top young kids right now like Adam Etches and Scott Jenkins and there is only good times ahead.

“Next year will also be a big one for heavyweight Richard Towers who will eventually will be heading a big card at Ponds Forge.

“Gary Buckland tops this card and if his first defence has half the excitement of the Sykes fight, fans will be happy.”

ends

QUIGG LEFT ‘GUTTED’ BY MUNROE

SCOTT QUIGG admits he was “gutted” when domestic rival Rendall Munroe dropped down to bantamweight.

British super-bantamweight champion Quigg makes the first defence of his title against Cwmbran’s Jamie Arthur (18-5) in Premier Suite at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium on Saturday February 4.

Quigg (23-0) hoped that Munroe would be in the opposite corner, but his Hatton Promotions stable mate has switched weight divisions ending hopes of a fascinating battle.

Bury’s Quigg, said: “I was a bit gutted when Rendall decided to move down from super-bantamweight.

“It was a big fight and although I hold the British title, beating him would have proved that I am the number one domestically.

“Rendall had held the European title, challenged for the WBC belt, fought the very best and I felt I couldn’t call myself Britain’s number one until I beat him.

“Of course, now he has moved down I can rightfully claim to be number one in this country having taken the British title from Jason Booth.”

Arthur, 31, who hasn’t boxed since losing a split decision against Booth in February, is a former Commonwealth champion.

Quigg, 23, who took the crown from Booth in October added: “The only domestic super-bantamweights I feel can show me something in the ring is Carl Frampton and Jamie.

“He has a good pedigree and beaten boys like Robbie Turley and Kris Hughes who were the other guys we were looking at defending against.

“Jamie has boxed at featherweight and I will not have an advantage in size like I did against Jason.”

PRICE A BIG HIT IN THE STATES

British heavyweight sensation David Price made an impression with all the stars from the world of boxing at the recent WBC convention in Las Vegas.

Life long Liverpool fan Price took a signed Steven Gerrard football top to present the president of the WBC Jose Sulaiman and was impressed with his knowledge of the sport.

David said; “I talked in length with Sulaiman regarding the premiership and was shocked that he knew so much we talked about Hernandez who play’s for premiership giants Manchester united and my club liverpool and he has nothing but admiration for Dalglish for what he has achieved so far this season.

“ We then got on to boxing and I told him my ambition is to fight for the best title out there, and be the WBC champion within the next two years.”

Also at the convention was Heavyweight legends Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Larry Holmes.

“Meeting the likes of Tyson and Holmes was a dream come true and hope that one day I stand next to them as an equal and not just a fan.”

A big talking point at the convention was how to revive the heavyweight division, “I believe I am the man to that, I will bring back the good old days and the excitement”, Said David

David workout at the world famous Top Rank gym where he impressed the Las Vegas die hards.
Promotor Frank Maloney took great pleasure in telling a fight fraternity that he has found the man that can put heavyweight boxing back at the top of the pack and rule the division.

David’s Next fight will be against Big Bad John McDermott at the Olympia in Liverpool in an British Title eliminator on January 21st.

Tickets for the event are available to buy online at www.frankmaloney.com.